Electronic device and method of forming flexible display thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a housing including a recess; an internal structure disposed in the recess; and a display disposed in the recess and supported by the internal structure, where the display includes a display panel including a first region and a second region, where the second region forms at least part of an edge of the display panel; and a flexible polymer layer forming an outer surface of the display panel, where the flexible polymer layer includes a first portion covering the first region and the second region, and a second portion extending from the first portion, enclosing the at least part of the edge of the display panel, and extending inward. Thereby, foreign material can be prevented from entering into the display. Various other embodiments are possible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0034641, filed on Mar. 26,2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to anelectronic device and a method of forming a flexible display therein.

Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices may display a large amount of information throughtheir displays. As technology develops, the size of the display in anelectronic device has gradually increased, and the bezel region aroundthe outer portion of the display has become increasingly thinner. Theelectronic device may partially bend an outer portion of the display(e.g. left and right edges) such that the area occupied by the displayin the front portion of the electronic device is enlarged. A displayhaving a bent outer portion may be a flexible display (e.g., edgedisplay). The electronic device may employ a flexible display based onaesthetic and functional considerations.

The display of the electronic device may be implemented as a structurein which a plurality of panels are stacked. The flexible display may beformed by partially bending the plurality of stacked panels by applyinga force. When the force is removed, the plurality of panels may berestored to their original shape. This phenomenon of being restored backto their original shape may be referred to as the spring backphenomenon.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic deviceincluding a flexible display in which a window at least partiallyenclosing the flexible display is attached to one surface of theflexible display in order to prevent the phenomenon (e.g., spring backphenomenon) that restores the original shape of at least one bent panel.

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure further provides anelectronic device capable of forming a curved surface structure of aflexible display in order to prevent the spring back phenomenon of atleast one panel.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes a housing including a recess; an internal structuredisposed in the recess; and a display disposed in the recess andsupported by the internal structure, wherein the display includes adisplay panel including a first region and a second region, wherein thesecond region forms at least part of an edge of the display panel; and aflexible polymer layer forming an outer surface of the display panel,wherein the flexible polymer layer includes a first portion covering thefirst region and the second region, and a second portion extending fromthe first portion, enclosing the at least part of the edge of thedisplay panel, and extending inward.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device including a bent display also includes a bendingstructure disposed at one end of the display; and an internal structuredisposed on one surface of the display. The display may be bent by thebending structure and be supported by the internal structure, and thedisplay includes a display panel including a first region and a secondregion, wherein the second region forms at least part of an edge of thedisplay panel; and a flexible polymer layer configured to form an outersurface of the display panel, wherein the flexible polymer layerincludes a first portion enclosing the first region and the secondregion of the display panel and a second portion extending from thefirst portion, enclosing an edge of the display panel and at least partof the bending structure, and extending inward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of a mobileelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of theelectronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electronicdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a displaydevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display and adisplay support member according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating various methods of bending one end of awindow attached to an upper portion of a flexible display according tocertain embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure for maintaining a form of awindow attached to a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D are diagrams illustrating a methodof attaching a window to correspond to various forms of housingaccording to certain embodiments;

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are a flowchart and diagrams illustratingan operation of forming of a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, FIG. 10D and FIG. 10E are diagramsillustrating process operations for enclosing a flexible display using awindow according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C are diagrams illustrating structures inwhich a flexible display is bent according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure is described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Although various example embodiments areillustrated in the drawings and related detailed descriptions arediscussed in the disclosure, the present disclosure may have variousmodifications and several embodiments. However, certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure are not limited to a specific implementation formand it should be understood that the present disclosure includes allchanges and/or equivalents and substitutes included in the certainembodiments of the present disclosure. In connection with descriptionsof the drawings, similar components are designated by the same referencenumeral.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as“include,” “have,” “may include,” or “may have” may be construed todenote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituentelement, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed toexclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or moreother characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements,components or combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the expression “or” or“at least one of A or/and B” includes any or all of combinations ofwords listed together. For example, the expression “A or B” or “at leastA or/and B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

The expression “1,” “2,” “first,” or “second” used in certainembodiments of the present disclosure may be used for various componentsof the certain embodiments but does not limit the correspondingcomponents. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequenceand/or importance of the components. The expressions may be used fordistinguishing one component from other components. For example, a firstuser device and a second user device indicate different user devicesalthough both of them are user devices. For example, without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure, a first structural element maybe referred to as a second structural element. Similarly, the secondstructural element also may be referred to as the first structuralelement.

When it is stated that a component is “(operatively or communicatively)coupled to” or “connected to” another component, the component may bedirectly coupled or connected to another component or a new componentmay exist between the component and another component. On the otherhand, when it is stated that a component is “directly coupled to” or“directly connected to” another component, a new component does notexist between the component and another component.

In the present disclosure, the expression “configured (or set) to do”may be used interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for doing,”“having the capacity to do,” “designed to do,” “adapted to do,” “made todo,” or “capable of doing.” The expression “configured (or set) to do”may not necessarily be used to refer to only something in hardware forwhich it is “specifically designed to do.” Instead, the expression “adevice configured to do” may indicate that the device is “capable ofdoing” something with other devices or parts. For example, theexpression “a processor configured (or set) to do A, B and C” may referto a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) or ageneric-purpose processor (e.g., CPU or application processor or anyother processing circuitry) that may execute one or more softwareprograms stored in a memory device to perform corresponding functions.

According to certain embodiments, examples of the electronic device mayinclude a smartphone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, avideo phone, an electronic book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, anetbook computer, a workstation, a server, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an MP3 player, a medicaldevice, a camera, and a wearable device, or the like, but is not limitedthereto. Examples of the wearable device may include an accessory typedevice (such as, watch, ring, bracelet, ankle bracelet, necklace,glasses, contact lens, and Head-Mount Device (HMD)), a textile orclothes type device (such as electronic clothes), a body-attached type(such as skin pad and tattoo), and a bio-implemented type, or the like,but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, examples of the electronic device mayinclude a television, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, an audioplayer, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, amicrowave oven, a laundry machine, an air purifier, a set-top box, ahome automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box(such as Samsung HomeSync™, apple TV™, and google TV™), a game console(such as Xbox™ and PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, anelectronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic frame, or the like, butis not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, examples of the electronic device mayinclude a medical device (such as portable medical sensors (includingglucometer, heart rate sensor, tonometer, and body thermometer),Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) device, Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) device, Computed Tomography (CT) device, camcorder, and microwavescanner), a navigation device, a Global navigation Satellite System(GNSS), an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), anautomotive infotainment device, marine electronic equipment (such asmarine navigation system and gyro compass), aviation electronics(avionics), an automotive head unit, an industrial or household robot,an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), a Point Of Sales (POS) terminal, andan Internet-of-Things (IoT) device (such as electric bulb, sensor,sprinkler system, fire alarm system, temperature controller, streetlamp, toaster, fitness equipment, hot water tank, heater, and boiler),or the like, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, examples of the electronic device mayinclude furniture, a building/structure, a part of a vehicle, anelectronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector,and a sensor (such as water, electricity, gas, and electric wavemeters), or the like, but is not limited thereto. According to certainembodiments, the electronic device may be flexible or a combination ofat least two of the aforementioned devices. According to an embodiment,the electronic device is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

In the disclosure, the term “user” may denote a person who uses theelectronic device or a device (e.g., artificial intelligent electronicdevice) which uses the electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of a mobileelectronic device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is aperspective view illustrating a rear surface of the electronic device ofFIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic device 100 according toan embodiment may include a housing 110 including a first surface (orfront surface) 110A, a second surface (or rear surface) 110B, and a sidesurface 110C enclosing a space between the first surface 110A and thesecond surface 110B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), thehousing 110 may refer to a structure made up of part of the firstsurface 110A, second surface 110B, and side surface 110C of FIG. 1.According to an embodiment, the first surface 110A may be formed by afront plate 102 (e.g., a polymer plate or a glass plate includingvarious coating layers) of which at least part is substantiallytransparent. The second surface 110B may be formed by a substantiallyopaque rear plate 111. The rear plate 111 may be made of, for example,coating or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum,stainless steel (STS), or magnesium) or a combination of at least two ofthese materials. The side surface 110C may be coupled to the front plate102 and the rear plate 111 and be formed by a side bezel structure (or“side member”) 118 including metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments,the rear plate 111 and the side bezel structure 118 may be integrallyformed and be made of the same material (e.g., metal such as aluminum).

In an illustrated embodiment, the front plate 102 may include two firstregions 110D bent from the first surface 110A toward the rear plate 111and seamlessly extending the long edges (e.g. left and right edges) ofthe first surface 110A. In the illustrated embodiment (see FIG. 2), therear plate 111 may include two second regions 110E bent from the secondsurface 110B toward the front plate 102 and seamlessly extending thelong edges (e.g. left and right edges) of the second surface 110B. Insome embodiments, the front plate 102 (or the rear plate 111) mayinclude only one of the first regions 110D (or the second regions 110E).In other embodiments, some of the first regions 110D or the secondregions 110E may not be included. In the above embodiments, when viewedfrom the side surface of the electronic device 100, the side bezelstructure 118 may have a first thickness (or width) at the side surfacewhere the first regions 110D and/or the second regions 110E are absent(e.g. at the side surface towards the top and bottom of the electronicdevice. The side bezel structure 118 may further have a smaller secondthickness smaller at the side surface where the first regions 110Dand/or the second regions 110E are present.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include atleast one of a display 101, audio modules 103, 107 and 114, sensormodules 104, 116 and 119, camera modules 105, 112 and 113, key inputdevice 117, light emitting device 106, and connector holes 108 and 109.In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may omit at least one(e.g., the key input device 117 or the light emitting device 106) of thecomponents or may additionally include other components.

The display 101 may be exposed, for example, through the substantiallytransparent portion of the front plate 102. In some embodiments, atleast part of the display 101 may be exposed through the front plate 102forming the first region 110D and the first surface 110A. In someembodiments, edges of the display 101 may be formed to havesubstantially the same shape as the adjacent outer shape of the frontplate 102. In another embodiment (not illustrated), in order to enlargean exposure area of the display 101, a distance between an outer portionof the display 101 and an outer portion of the front plate 102 may besubstantially the same.

The display 101 may be a flexible display. According to an embodiment,the flexible display may be a display where at least part of the display101 may be bent. For example, the flexible display may have a flatcentral portion and a bent side surface. By virtue of the bent sidesurface of the display, the electronic device 100 having the flexibledisplay may have the advantage of having a thin side bezel. Accordingly,the electronic device 100 having the flexible display may have anaesthetically pleasing external appearance.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), in a part of a screen displayarea of the display 101, a recess or an opening may be formed, and atleast one of the audio module 114, sensor module 104, camera module 105,and light emitting device 106 may be included in the recess or theopening. In yet another embodiment (not illustrated), at least one ofthe audio module 114, the sensor module 104, the camera module 105, afingerprint sensor 116, and the light emitting device 106 may bedisposed behind the screen display area of the display 101. In anotherembodiment (not illustrated), the display 101 may be coupled to a touchsensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring intensity (e.g.pressure) of a touch, and/or a digitizer for detecting a the magneticfield of a stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least part of the sensormodules 104 and 119 and/or at least part of the key input device 117 maybe disposed in the first regions 110D and/or the second regions 110E.

The audio modules 103, 107, and 114 may include a microphone hole 103and speaker holes 107 and 114. The microphone hole 103 may provideoutlet for a microphone that detects sound from outside the electronicdevice, and in some embodiments, a plurality of microphones may bedisposed. The speaker holes 107 and 114 may include an external speakerhole 107 and a communication receiver hole 114. In some embodiments, thespeaker holes 107 and 114 and the microphone hole 103 may be implementedinto a single hole, or a speaker (e.g., piezo speaker) may be includedwithout the speaker holes 107 and 114.

The sensor modules 104, 116, and 119 may generate electrical signals ordata values corresponding to operating states inside the electronicdevice 100 or external environment states. The sensor modules 104, 116,and 119 may include, for example, a first sensor module 104 (e.g., aproximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (not illustrated) (e.g.,a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing110. The sensor modules 104, 116, and 119 may further include a thirdsensor module 119 (e.g., heart rate monitor (FIRM) sensor) and/or afourth sensor module 116 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on thesecond surface 110B of the housing 110. The fingerprint sensor may bedisposed on the second surface 110B as well as the first surface 110A(e.g., under the display 101) of the housing 110. The electronic device100 may further include other sensor modules, such as at least one ofgesture sensor, gyro sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magneticsensor, acceleration sensor, grip sensor, color sensor, infrared (IR)sensor, biometric sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, orilluminance sensor 104.

The camera modules 105, 112, and 113 may include a first camera device105 disposed on the first surface 110A of the electronic device 100 anda second camera device 112 disposed on the second surface 110B, and/or aflash 113. The camera devices 105 and 112 may include one or morelenses, image sensors, and/or image signal processors. The flash 113 mayinclude, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In someembodiments, two or more lenses (infrared camera, wide angle andtelephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of theelectronic device 100.

The key input device 117 may be disposed on the side surface 110C of thehousing 110. In another embodiment, the electronic device 100 may notinclude a hardware key input device 117 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, andthe key input device 117 may be implemented as a soft key displayed onthe display 101. In some embodiments, the key input device 117 mayinclude a sensor module 116 disposed on the second surface 110B of thehousing 110.

The light emitting device 106 may be disposed, for example, on the firstsurface 110A of the housing 110. The light emitting device 106 mayoptically provide, for example, status information of the electronicdevice 100. In another embodiment, the light emitting device 106 mayprovide a light source for the camera module 105 (e.g. as a flash forthe camera module 105). The light emitting device 106 may be, forexample, a light emitting diode (LED), an infrared (IR) LED, and a xenonlamp.

The connector holes 108 and 109 may include a first connector hole 108that may receive a connector (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB)connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and froman external electronic device and/or a second connector hole (e.g., anearphone jack) 109 that may receive a connector for transmitting andreceiving an audio signal to and from an external electronic device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electronicdevice of FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 3, an electronic device 300 may include a sidebezel structure 310, first support member 311 (e.g., bracket), frontplate 320, display 330, printed circuit board 340, battery 350, secondsupport member 360 (e.g., rear case), antenna 370, and rear plate 380.In some embodiments, the electronic device 300 may omit at least one(e.g., the first support member 311 or the second support member 360) ofthe components or may further include other components. Some of thecomponents of the electronic device 300 may be the same as or similar tocorresponding components of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 or 2,and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted hereinafter.

The first support member 311 may be disposed inside the electronicdevice 300 to be connected to the side bezel structure 310 or may beformed integrally with the side bezel structure 310. The first supportmember 311 may be made of, for example, a metal material and/or anon-metal (e.g., polymer) material. A display 330 may be coupled to onesurface of the first support member 311, and a printed circuit board 340may be coupled to the other surface of the first support member 311. Onthe printed circuit board 340, a processor, memory, and/or interface maybe mounted. The processor may include, for example, at least one of acentral processing unit, application processor, graphic processing unit,image signal processor, sensor hub processor, or communicationprocessor.

According to an embodiment, the front plate 320 may include a window(e.g., a film, tempered glass) for protecting the internal components ofthe electronic device 300.

According to an embodiment, the display 330 may be implemented as aseries of stacked panels. The panels may include a touch sensitive paneland an organic light emitting layer and be flexible. The window of thefront plate 320 may be attached to one surface (e.g. upper surface) ofthe flexible display. For example, the window may be a member forprotecting the panels included in the flexible display from externalimpact. According to an embodiment, the window may be partially bentalong the edges (e.g. the longer left and right edges). The presentdisclosure does not restrict the shape of the window and it may be madeof an easily bendable material. For example, the window may be made of amaterial such as polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone(PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),and glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP).

According to an embodiment, an electronic device having a flexibledisplay may have the effect of making the side bezel structure 310visually thin.

The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a non-volatilememory.

The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimediainterface (HDMI), universal serial bus (USB) interface, secure digital(SD) card interface, and/or audio interface. The interface may, forexample, electrically or physically connect the electronic device 300with an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, anSD card/multi-media card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

The battery 350 is a device for supplying power to at least onecomponent of the electronic device 300 and may include, for example, anon-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or afuel cell. At least part of the battery 350 may be disposed, forexample, substantially flush with the printed circuit board 340. Thebattery 350 may be integrally disposed within the electronic device 300and be detachably disposed from the electronic device 300.

The antenna 370 may be disposed between the rear plate 380 and thebattery 350. The antenna 370 may include, for example, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) antenna, wireless charging antenna, and/or magneticsecure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna 370 may perform, forexample, short-range communication with an external device or maytransmit and receive wirelessly power necessary for charging. In otherembodiments, the antenna structure may be formed by part of the firstsupport member 311 and/or the side bezel structure 310 or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a display device 460 according toan embodiment.

With reference FIG. 4, the display device 460 may include a display 410and a display driver IC (DDI) 430 for controlling the display 410. TheDDI 430 may include an interface module 431, memory 433 (e.g., a buffermemory), image processing module 435, or mapping module 437. The DDI 430may receive, for example, image data or image information including animage control signal corresponding to a command for controlling theimage data from another component of an electronic device through theinterface module 431. For example, according to an embodiment, the imageinformation may be received from a processor (e.g., a main processor)(e.g., an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (e.g.,graphic processing device) operated independently of a function of themain processor. The DDI 430 may communicate with a touch circuit 450 ora sensor module 476 through the interface module 431. Further, the DDI430 may store at least part of the received image information in, forexample, a frame unit in the memory 433. The image processing module 435may perform, for example, a pre-processing or a post-processing (e.g.,resolution, brightness, and size adjustment) of at least some of theimage data based on at least part of characteristics of image data orcharacteristics of the display 410. The mapping module 437 may generatea voltage value or a current value corresponding to the pre-processed orpost-processed image data through the image processing module 435.According to an embodiment, a voltage value or a current value may begenerated based on, for example, at least some of properties of pixels(e.g., array of pixels (RGB stripe or pentile structure or size of eachof subpixels) of the display 410. As at least some of pixels of thedisplay 410 are driven, for example, based on at least part of thevoltage value or current value, visual information (e.g., text, image,icon) corresponding to the image data may be displayed through thedisplay 410.

According to an embodiment, the display device 460 may further include atouch circuit 450. The touch circuit 450 may include a touch sensor 451and a touch sensor IC 453 for controlling the touch sensor 451. Thetouch sensor IC 453 may control the touch sensor 451, for example, inorder to detect a touch input or a hovering input to a specific positionof the display 410. For example, the touch sensor IC 453 may measure achange of a signal (e.g., voltage, light quantity, resistance, or chargequantity) to a specific position of the display 410 to detect a touchinput or a hovering input. The touch sensor IC 453 may provideinformation (e.g., position, area, pressure, or time) about the detectedtouch input or hovering input to the processor. According to anembodiment, at least a portion (e.g., the touch sensor IC 453) of thetouch circuit 450 may be included as part of the DDI 430 or the display410 or as part of another component (e.g., auxiliary processor) disposedoutside the display device 460.

According to an embodiment, the display device 460 may further includeat least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, iris sensor, pressuresensor, or illuminance sensor) of the sensor module 476 or a controlcircuit therefor. In this case, the at least one sensor or the controlcircuit thereof may be embedded in a portion (e.g., the display 410 orthe DDI 430) of the display device 460 or a portion of the touch circuit450. For example, when the sensor module 476 embedded in the displaydevice 460 includes a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), thebiometric sensor may obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprintimage) related to a touch input through some area of the display 410. Asanother example, when the sensor module 476 embedded in the displaydevice 460 includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtainpressure information related to a touch input through some area or anentire area of the display 410. According to an embodiment, the touchsensor 451 or the sensor module 476 may be disposed between pixels of apixel layer of the display 410 or above or below the pixel layer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display and adisplay support member according to an embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 5, in an electronic device 500 (e.g., theelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1), a flexible display 502 may be mounted,and the electronic device 500 may display various screens or contentthrough the flexible display 502. The flexible display 502 may includeat least one panel (e.g., the panels included in the display 330 of FIG.3), and at least one end 501 thereof may be bent. According to anembodiment, the other end opposite the one end 501 of the flexibledisplay 502 may also be bent. The shape of the flexible display 502 maybe formed to correspond to the shape of a component disposed at theperiphery of the display support member 513 (e.g., a bracket) thatsupports the panel.

A cross-sectional view 510 of FIG. 5 illustrates the electronic device500 taken along line A-A′.

With reference to the cross-sectional view 510, a flexible display 512may be disposed between a window 511 and the display support member 513.For example, the window 511 may be a film for protecting the flexibledisplay 512. For example, the window 511 may be a protective film madeof at least one of polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone(PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),and glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). The window 511 according tocertain embodiments is not limited to the above-mentioned materials.

The display support member 513 may be made of a metal, an injectionproduct, or a film and may be an additional plate attached to the lowerportion of the flexible display 512. According to an embodiment, thedisplay support member 513 may be seated in a first support member 514(e.g., the first support member 311 of FIG. 3). The window 511, theflexible display 512, and the display support member 513 may be stacked,and the shape of the display support member 513 may determine the shapeof the flexible display 512. The window 511 may be at least partiallyattached to an upper portion (e.g., one side) of the flexible display512, and the display support member 513 may be at least partiallyattached to a lower portion (e.g., the side opposite the one side) ofthe flexible display 512.

According to an embodiment, the window 511 may be at least partiallyattached to the display support member 513 so that the window 511 atleast partly encloses the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513 in order to prevent the spring back phenomenon of theflexible display 512.

According to an embodiment, when the window 511 does not enclose theflexible display 512 and the display support member 513, the spring backphenomenon may occur in the flexible display 512, which may damage theelectronic device. For example, when the spring back phenomenon occurs,the stacked structure between the flexible display 512 and the displaysupport member 513 may be exposed to the outside of the electronicdevice. Further, peeling may occur in which at least some of the layersforming the flexible display 512 are separated. A gap (e.g., separatedspace) may occur between the housing enclosing the window 511, theflexible display 512, and the display support member 513, and when asharp material such as a nail enters into the generated gap, the window511 and the flexible display 512 may be damaged. Foreign materials(e.g., fine dust, moisture) may also enter into the generated gap,causing additional damages to the window 511, the flexible display 512,and/or the display support member 513.

According to an embodiment, the window 511 may be at least partiallyattached to the flexible display 512 and the display support member 513in a form that at least partially encloses the flexible display 512 andthe display support member 513. According to an embodiment, the window511 partially enclose a lower portion of the display support member 513and the flexible display 512 in order to prevent the spring backphenomenon of the flexible display 512. For example, the window 511 maybe inserted between the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513 to be partially attached to the lower portion of the flexibledisplay 512. As another example, the window 511 may be partiallyattached to the lower portion of the display support member 513 so as toenclose the flexible display 512 and the display support member 513.

According to an embodiment, the window 511 may be partially attached tothe lower portion of the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513 using a first adhesive member 517 (e.g., adhesive ordouble-sided tape). According to an embodiment, the first adhesivemember 517 may be disposed on the lower portion of the display supportmember 513, and the display support member 513 and the window 511 may beat least partially attached by the first adhesive member 517.

According to an embodiment, when the window 511 encloses the flexibledisplay 512 and the display support member 513, a space 515 may beformed between one end of the flexible display 512 and the displaysupport member 513 and the window 511. According to an embodiment, asecond adhesive member 518 (e.g., organic compound, resin) may beinjected into the formed space 515, and the formed space 515 may befilled with the second adhesive member 518. The second adhesive member518 may be, for example, at least partially opaque. According to anembodiment, the second adhesive member 518 may help maintain the shapein which the window 511 encloses the flexible display 512 and thedisplay support member 513 and help keep the window 511, the flexibledisplay 512, and the display support member 513 in place. According toan embodiment, the window 511 may maintain a curved structure formed atone end of the flexible display 512 using the second adhesive member518, and minimize gaps generated between the flexible display 512, thedisplay support member 513, and the first support member 514. Accordingto an embodiment, the second adhesive member 518 may fill a gap (e.g.,separated space) between the flexible display 512 and the displaysupport member 513 and prevent delamination between panels included inthe flexible display 512. According to an embodiment, the secondadhesive member 518 may prevent foreign materials from entering into thegap between the flexible display 512 and the display support member 513.

According to an embodiment, when the window 511 encloses the flexibledisplay 512 and the display support member 513, a bezel region 516positioned at both sides of the electronic device 500 may be made to berelatively thin. For example, the window 511 may at least partiallyenclose the flexible display 512 and the display support member 513 andmay be at least partially attached to a lower surface of the displaysupport member 513. A display assembly formed with the window 511, theflexible display 512, and the display support member 513 may be seatedat an upper surface of the first support member 514. According toanother embodiment, the window 511 may be at least partially attached toan upper surface of the first support member 514. The first supportmember 514 attached to the lower surface of the display support member513 may be include a minimized bezel region 516.

The present disclosure does not limit the radius of curvature of thewindow 511 (e.g., the radius of curvature formed when the window 511encloses the flexible display 512 and the display support member 513).In order to enclose the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513, the window 511 may be formed in various shapes correspondingto structures disposed at the periphery of the flexible display 512 andthe display support member 513.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating various methods of bending one end of awindow attached to an upper portion of a flexible display according tocertain embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 6, a flexible display 620 (e.g., the flexibledisplay 512 of FIG. 5) may be disposed between a window 610 (e.g., thewindow 511 of FIG. 5) and a display support member 630 (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5). FIG. 6 illustrates threeembodiments in which the window 610 encloses at least a portion of theflexible display 620 and the display support member 630. According tocertain embodiments, the window 610 may enclose the flexible display 620and the display support member 630 in various forms depending on how theflexible display 620 and the display support member 630 are disposed.

With reference to a first embodiment 601 in FIG. 6, there is a space 641to which the window 610 can be partially attached in the lower portionof the display support member 631, and when the window 610 is attachedto the space 641, the window 610 encloses the flexible display 620 andthe display support member 631. According to an embodiment, the window610 of the electronic device 100 may at least partially enclose theflexible display 620 and the display support member 631 and be partiallyattached to the space 641 of the display support member 631. Accordingto an embodiment, the space 641 may have the same thickness as thewindow 610, and when the window 610 is attached to the space 641, thebottom surface of the window 610 may be flush with the bottom surface ofthe display support member 631.

According to an embodiment, the space 641 may have a thickness largerthan that of the window 610. Thus, a margin space may be provided suchthat the display support member 631 is stably seated in the firstsupport member (e.g., the first support member 514 of FIG. 5). Themargin space may be filled using a separate pillar member, and thepillar member may reinforce seating stability and impact resistance forthe first support member 514 by using a member having elasticitydifferent from that of the window 610. According to another embodiment,the space 641 may have a thickness thinner than that of the window 610.In this case, the first support member 514 may be formed to furtherinclude a margin space for attachment of the window 610. The marginspace may be filled with a separate pillar member, and the pillar membermay reinforce seating stability and impact resistance for the firstsupport member 514 by using a member having elasticity different fromthat of the window 610.

With reference to a second embodiment 603, the shape of a displaysupport member 633 may be such that a space 642 (e.g., a hole) existsbetween a flexible display 620 and the display support member 633. Thewindow 610 may be inserted into and attached to the space 642 formedbetween the flexible display 620 and the display support member 633while partially enclosing the flexible display 620. According to anembodiment, the window 610 of the electronic device 100 may at leastpartially enclose the flexible display 620 and be partially attached tothe space 642 formed between the flexible display 620 and the displaysupport member 633. According to an embodiment, the thickness of thespace 642 may be substantially the same as the thickness of the window610, so that the window 610 can be inserted into the space 642.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the space 642 may begreater than the thickness of the window 610 so that a margin space isprovided between the flexible display 620 and the display support member633. The margin space may be filled using a separate pillar member, andthe pillar member may reinforce seating stability and impact resistanceto the window 610 by using a member having elasticity lower than that ofthe window 610.

With reference to a third embodiment 605, the electronic device 100 mayhave a structure in which an internal component 640 of the electronicdevice 100 is disposed under a flexible display 620. The display supportmember 635 may be disposed on a side portion of the internal component640. The shape of the display support member 635 may be such that thereis a space 643 to which the window 610 is partially to be attached. Thewindow 610 may be attached to the space 643 so that it is partiallycovering the flexible display 620 and the display support member 635.Thus, according to an embodiment, the window 610 of the electronicdevice 100 may at least partially enclose the flexible display 620 andthe display support member 635 and be partially attached to the space643 formed at one surface of the display support member 635. Accordingto an embodiment, the thickness of the space 643 may be substantiallythe same as the thickness of the window 610, so that when the window 610is attached to the space 643, the outer surface of the window 610 may beflush with the outer surface of the display support member 635.According to another embodiment, the thickness of the space 643 may begreater than the thickness of the window 610 so as to provide a marginspace such that the window 610 may be stably attached to the displaysupport member 635. The margin space may be filled using a separatepillar member, and the pillar member may reinforce seating stability andimpact resistance to the window 610 by using a member having lowerelasticity than that of the window 610. In the third embodiment 605, byattaching the window 610 to the space 643, the electronic device 100 canimprove its waterproof performance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure for maintaining a form of awindow 710 attached to a flexible display 720 according to anembodiment.

With reference to FIG. 7, in the electronic device 100, the flexibledisplay 720 (e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5) may be disposedbetween the window 710 and a display support member 730 (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5), and the window 710 (e.g., thewindow 511 of FIG. 5) may enclose at least part of the display supportmember 730 and the flexible display 720.

According to an embodiment, the display support member 730 may include astructure (e.g., fixing member 740) for help fix the window 710 on thebottom surface of the display support member 730, where the bottomsurface of the display support member 730 is opposite the surface of thedisplay support member 730 that is attached to the flexible display 720.For example, the display support member 730 may include the fixingmember 740. The fixing member 740 may be integrally formed as part ofthe display support member 730 or may be an initially separate componentthat is at least partially coupled to the display support member 730.The fixing member 740 may have a fastening structure corresponding to ascrew, riveting, or fusion fixing. The first support member (e.g., thefirst support member 514 of FIG. 5) may be fastened and fixed to thefixing member 740 based on the fastening structure formed in the fixingmember 740. The window 710 attached to at least part of the bottomsurface of the display support member 730 may have an opening so thatthe fixing member 740 may pass through. The fixing member 740 may partlypenetrate the window 710 and thus help fix the window 710 in place.

According to an embodiment, the window 710 may be formed to enclose theflexible display 720 and the display support member 730. The displaysupport member 730 may include at least one fixing member 740 forpreventing the window 710 from springing back. The first support member(e.g., the first support member 514 of FIG. 5) positioned below thedisplay support member 730 may include a fastening structure forfastening the fixing member 740 to the first support member. Thefastening structure formed in the first support member may be coupled tothe fixing member 740 and prevent the spring back phenomenon of theflexible display 720 and the window 710.

FIG. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating a method of attaching a windowto correspond to various forms of housing according to certainembodiments.

FIG. 8A illustrates a structure of a housing 803 (e.g., the side bezelstructure 310 of FIG. 3) for fixing a position of a flexible display 820(e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5) and a display support member830 (e.g., the display support member 513 of FIG. 5). The shape of thehousing 803 may correspond to the shapes of the flexible display 820 andthe display support member 830, and the housing 803 may be produced in afitting structure or an undercut form using a production tool 801.According to an embodiment, the shape of the production tool 801 maycorrespond to the shapes of the flexible display 820 and the displaysupport member 830.

FIGS. 8B to 8D illustrate three embodiments in which the window 810 isattached to the housing 840.

According to an embodiment described in relation to FIG. 8B, a window810 disposed on the upper surface of the flexible display 820 may be atleast partially attached to the housing 840 (e.g., the side bezelstructure 310 of FIG. 3). According to an embodiment, the housing 840may be formed such that a member 812 of an outer portion in which oneend of the flexible display 820 and the display support member 830 aredisposed is higher than the window 810. According to the firstembodiment, because the member 812 of an outer portion of the housing840 is higher than the window 810, the outer portion of the housing 840may be formed to enclose the window 810, the flexible display 820, andthe display support member 830. According to an embodiment, an adhesivemember 811 (e.g., elastic rubber or tape) may be used between the outerportion of the window 810 and the housing 840 to partially attach thewindow 810 and the housing 840. According to an embodiment, a space 850may be formed between the flexible display 820, the display supportmember 830, and the housing 840, and the space 850 may be filled with anorganic compound material such as a resin.

According to a second embodiment described in relation to FIG. 8C, thehousing 840 (e.g., the side bezel structure 310 of FIG. 3) may beproduced in a form in which the window 810 may be extended to bepartially attached to the housing 840. The window 810 may have a sizelarger than that of the flexible display 820 and may be partiallyattached to the housing 840. According to an embodiment, the housing 840may be formed to include a step 814, where the step 814 is higher thanthe outer surface of the window 810 when the window 810 is mounted onthe housing 840. According to an embodiment, because the step 814 ishigher than the window 810, peeling between the window 810 and theflexible display 820 may be prevented. According to an embodiment, thewindow 810 and the housing 840 may be partially attached by using afirst adhesive member 813 (e.g., the first adhesive member 517 of FIG.5, rubber, or tape) therebetween. According to an embodiment, a space850 may be formed between the flexible display 820 and the housing 840,and the space 850 may be filled with a second adhesive member (e.g., thesecond adhesive member 518 of FIG. 5 (e.g., organic compounds, resins)).

According to a third embodiment described in relation to FIG. 8D, ahousing 840 (e.g., the side bezel structure 310 of FIG. 3) may beproduced in a form in which the window 810 may be extended to bepartially attached to a side surface of the housing 840. The window 810may have a size larger than that of the flexible display 820 and may beextended to be attached to the side surface of the housing 840. Forexample, the window 810 may be at least partially attached to the sideportion of the housing 840 that corresponds to a bezel region. Accordingto an embodiment, the housing 840 may be include a step 816 that ishigher than the outer surface of the window 810. According to anembodiment, because the step 816 is higher than the window 810, peelingbetween the window 810 and the flexible display 820 may be prevented.According to an embodiment, the window 810 and the housing 840 may bepartially attached by using a first adhesive member 815 (e.g., the firstadhesive member 517 of FIG. 5, rubber, tape) therebetween. According toan embodiment, the fixture of the window 810 in the FIG. 8D embodimentmay be stronger than the embodiments of FIGS. 8B-8C. Thus, theembodiment of FIG. 8D may more efficiently prevent delamination of theflexible display 820. According to an embodiment, a space 850 may beformed between the flexible display 820 and the display support member830 and the housing 840, and the space 850 may be filled with a secondadhesive member (e.g., the second adhesive member 518 of FIG. 5 (e.g.,an organic compound, a resin)).

FIG. 9A to 9C are a flowchart and diagrams illustrating an operation offorming a display module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of bending a window ofa display module.

With reference to FIG. 9A, in operation 901, a display module includinga window (e.g., window 511 of FIG. 5) and a flexible display (e.g., theflexible display 512 of FIG. 5)) and a display support member (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5) may be provided. Although notillustrated, at least one jig and roller for bending the display modulemay also be provided.

In operation 903, the display module (e.g., an assembly formed based onthe window 511 and the flexible display 512) and the display supportmember 513 may be disposed in a stack structure to correspond to anupper frame (e.g., a first jig). The window 511 included in the displaymodule may be larger in size than the flexible display 512 so as to atleast partly enclose the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513. For example, the window 511 may have an extended length tocorrespond to one end so as to enclose the one end of the flexibledisplay 512. The window 511 may have an extended length to correspond tothe other end so as to enclose the other end of the flexible display 512corresponding to an opposite direction of the one end.

In operation 905, at least a portion of the window 511 may be bent usinga side frame (e.g., a second jig). For example, in the window 511 havingan extended length to correspond to one end and the other end of theflexible display 512, some areas having an extended length may be bentby the side frame. Some areas having an extended length may be bent inthe form partly enclosing the flexible display 512.

In operation 907, some areas (e.g., the edge of the window 511) of thebent window 511 may be partially adhered and pressed to one surface ofthe display support member 513 using a lower frame (e.g., a third jig).For example, some areas having an extended length of the window 511 maybe bent by the lower frame and be partially attached to one surface(e.g., a lower portion of the display support member 513) of the displaysupport member 513. The fabrication process illustrated in FIG. 9A maybe a fabrication process in which the window 511 included in the displaymodule is bent to at least partly enclose the flexible display 512 andthe display support member 513.

FIGS. 9B and 9C are diagrams illustrating a production process of adisplay module including a window 511 and a flexible display 512.

With reference to FIG. 9B, a window 910 (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5)may be disposed in a first structure 911. For example, the surface wherethe first structure 911 and the window 910 are touching may be the frontportion of the window 910. According to an embodiment, the window 910may be made of a flexible material (e.g., a film) that may be freelybent. The shape of the window 910 may be formed based on the shape ofthe first structure 911. For example, the window 910 may be deformed orpartially bent using heat generated by the first structure.

With reference to FIG. 9C, in a state in which the window 910 isdisposed in the first structure 911, a flexible display 920 (e.g., theflexible display 512 of FIG. 5) may be disposed onto the window 910. Asecond structure 921 may be disposed on one surface of the flexibledisplay 920. According to an embodiment, the window 910 and the flexibledisplay 920 disposed between the first structure 911 and the secondstructure 921 may be pressed by a force generated between the firststructure 911 and the second structure 921 so as to be pressed into thesame shape. Accordingly, the shape of the display module (e.g., thewindow 910 and the flexible display 920) may be formed based on theshape of the first structure 911 and the second structure 921.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate process operations for enclosing a flexibledisplay using a window according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a window 1010 (e.g., the window 511of FIG. 5) and a flexible display 1020 (e.g., the flexible display 512of FIG. 5).

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 1020 may be disposedbetween the window 1010 and the display support member (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5). For example, at least a portionof the window 1010 may be attached to at least a portion of the displaysupport member to enclose the flexible display 1020. According toanother embodiment, the display support member may include a fixingmember (e.g., the fixing member 740 of FIG. 7) for fixing the window1010, and at least one opening 1005 corresponding to the fixing membermay be formed in the window 1010.

According to an embodiment, the size of the window 1010 may be greaterthan that of the flexible display 1020. For example, the window 1010 maybe extended beyond a side of the flexible display 1020 and may be bentto partially enclose that side of the flexible display 1020. Accordingto an embodiment, the other end corresponding to an opposite directionof the one end may be extended further than a length to the other end ofthe flexible display 1020, and the window 1010 may be bent to partiallyenclose the other end of the flexible display 1020 to correspond to anextended length of the other end. According to an embodiment, the window1010 may enclose the bent portion 1001 of the flexible display 1020.

With reference to FIG. 10B, the flexible display 1020 may be disposedbetween the window 1010 and a display support member 1030 (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5). The window 1010 and the flexibledisplay 1020 may constitute a display module. According to anembodiment, the display support member 1030 may include a fixing member1040 for partially fixing the location of the window 1010 with respectto the bottom surface of the display support member 1030. The fixingmember 1040 may, for example, penetrate the window 1010. The window 1010may include one or more openings (e.g., opening 1005 of FIG. 10A)corresponding to the fixing member 1040. According to an embodiment, thewindow 1010 may be penetrated by the fixing member 1040 while at leastpartially enclosing the flexible display 1020 and the display supportmember 1030, and the window 1010 may be fixed by the fixing member 1040.

FIG. 10C illustrates an operation of bending the window 1010 to be fixedby the fixing member 1040 while at least partially enclosing theflexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030. FIG. 10Cillustrates an operation 1002 of bending the window 1010 without a jigand an operation 1003 of bending the window 1010 using at least one jig(e.g., an upper jig 1011 (first jig), a side jig 1012 (second jig), anda lower jig 1021 (third jig)).

According to an embodiment, the window 1010 may be larger than theflexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030 so that edgesof the window 1010 extend beyond those of the flexible display 1020 andthe display support member 1030. The extended edges of the window 1010may partially enclose ends of the flexible display 1020 and the displaysupport member 1030. The window 1010 may have an extended length tocorrespond to the other ends so as to partially enclose the other endscorresponding to an opposite direction of the one end of the flexibledisplay 1020 and the one end of the display support member 1030.

According to an embodiment, the window 1010 may be bent to at leastpartially enclose the flexible display 1020 and the display supportmember 1030 by the upper jig 1011. The window 1010 may be bent by theside jig 1012 such that the window 1010's extended edges at least partlyenclose the flexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030.The window 1010 may be bent by the lower jig 1021 such that its extendededges face the bottom surface of the display support member 1030. Thewindow 1010's extended edges may be at least partly attached and pressedto the bottom surface of the display support member 1030 by the lowerjig 1021. According to an embodiment, when the window 1010 is bent bythe lower jig 1021, the fixing member 1040 included in the displaysupport member 1030 may penetrate an opening (e.g., the opening 1005 ofFIG. 10A) formed in the window 1010. The fixing member 1040 of thedisplay support member 1030 may keep the window 1010 in place withrespect to the flexible display 1020 and the display support member1030. The window 1010, the flexible display 1020, and the displaysupport member 1030 may be prevented from springing back by the fixingmember 1040. A display assembly formed with the window 1010, theflexible display 1020, and the display support member 1030 may befastened to the housing (e.g., the first support member 514 of FIG. 5)of the electronic device based on the fixing member 1040.

FIG. 10D illustrates an operation of compressing/attaching the flexibledisplay 1020 and the display support member 1030 using the firstassembly jig 1011 (e.g., an upper frame) and the second assembly jig1021 (e.g., a lower frame) so that the window 1010 at least partiallyencloses the flexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030.For example, the window 1010, the flexible display 1020, and the displaysupport member 1030 may be stacked to correspond to the first assemblyjig 1011. The stacked window 1010, flexible display 1020, and displaysupport member 1030 may be attached to each other by the first assemblyjig 1011 and the second assembly jig 1021. As explained above, thedisplay support member 1030 may include a fixing member 1040 to help fixthe window 1010, and the fixing member 1040 may have a fasteningstructure corresponding to a screw, riveting, or fusion fixing. Thefixing member 1040 may penetrate the opening 1005 formed in the window1010 to keep the window 1010, the flexible display 1020, and the displaysupport member 1030 in place. A first support member 1031 (e.g., thefirst support member 514 of FIG. 5) may be disposed below the displaysupport member 1030, and the first support member 1031 may include afastening structure 1050 for fastening to the fixing member 1040. As thefixing member 1040 and the fastening structure 1050 of the first supportmember 1031 are fastened to each other, the window 1010, the flexibledisplay 1020, and the display support member 1030 may be maintained inplace, and springing back may be prevented.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 1020 and the displaysupport member 1030 may be attached to each other by an adhesive member,and the window 1010 may be at least partially attached to the bottomsurface of the display support member 1030 using another adhesivemember.

FIG. 10E illustrates the window 1010 at least partially enclosing theflexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030.

With reference to FIG. 10E, the window 1010 may be at least partiallyattached to one surface of the display support member 1030 whileenclosing the flexible display 1020 and the display support member 1030.An adhesive member 1070 (e.g., the first adhesive member 517 of FIG. 5)may be used between the window 1010 and the display support member 1030,and the adhesive member may be made of a material that does not damagethe window 1010 and the display support member 1030. With reference toFIG. 10E, while the window 1010 encloses the flexible display 1020 andthe display support member 1030, a space 1060 may be generated in somearea in which the window 1010 is bent. According to an embodiment, thespace 1060 may be filled with a second adhesive member (e.g., the secondadhesive member 518 of FIG. 5). According to an embodiment, the secondadhesive member may prevent a foreign material from entering into thespace 1060.

FIGS. 11A and 11C illustrate structures in which a flexible display isbent according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 11A illustrates a front perspective view and a rear perspectiveview of an electronic device 1110 (e.g., the electronic device 100 ofFIG. 1). In the electronic device 1110, at least part of a flexibledisplay 1112 (e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5) may be bent. Theelectronic device 1110 may be formed with a first structure 1113 (e.g.,a main device) and a second structure 1115 (e.g., an auxiliary device),and the first structure 1113 may be at least partially coupled to thesecond structure 1115. The electronic device 1110 may display contentson its exposed area.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1110 may have an openstate and a closed state. The open state may be a state in which atleast part of a bendable portion 1117 is exposed to the outside of theelectronic device 1110, and the closed state may be a state in which thebendable portion 1117 is not exposed to the outside. When the electronicdevice 1110 is in the closed state, at least a partial area of thebendable portion 1117 of the flexible display 1112 may be positionedbetween the first structure 1113 and the second structure 1115. Theelectronic device 1110 may transition from the closed state to the openstate when the user moves the first structure 1113 apart from the secondstructure 1115 using a sliding action. When the electronic device 1110is in the open state, at least a partial area of the bendable portion1117 may be extended and be exposed. For example, the first structure1113 may move in a first direction (e.g., a direction {circle around(1)}). The first structure 1113 and the second structure 1115 may moveby a predetermined distance d1, and the display area of the flexibledisplay 1112 may be extended by the predetermined distance d1. Thus, thedisplay area of the flexible display 1112 may be extended by an area ofthe bendable portion 1117.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1110 may use aflexible window (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5) that may be attached tothe bent portion of the flexible display 1112 (e.g., the flexibledisplay 512 of FIG. 5), and the window may at least partially enclosethe flexible display 1112 and the display support member (e.g., thedisplay support member 513 of FIG. 5).

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 1112 forms an edgedesign to correspond to an opposite direction of the bendable portion1117, the window (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5) may be formed to atleast partially enclose the flexible display 1112 (e.g., the flexibledisplay 512 of FIG. 5) and the display support member (e.g., the displaysupport member 513 of FIG. 5). According to various embodiments, thewindow 511 may be formed to enclose the flexible display 512 and thedisplay support member 513 to correspond to one edge having an edgedesign, and the window 511 may be formed in an enclosing form tocorrespond to the other end corresponding to an opposite direction ofthe one end.

FIG. 11B illustrates a front perspective view 1103 and a rearperspective view 1104 of an electronic device 1120 (e.g., the electronicdevice 100 of FIG. 1). In the electronic device 1120, at least part of aflexible display 1122 (e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5) may bebent. The electronic device 1120 may be formed with a first structure1123 (e.g., a main device) and a second structure 1125 (e.g., anauxiliary device), and the first structure 1123 may be coupled partiallyto the second structure 1125. The electronic device 1120 may displaycontents on its exposed area.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1120 may have an openstate and a closed state. The open state may be a state in which atleast part of a bendable portion 1121 is exposed to the outside of theelectronic device 1120, and the closed state may be a state in which thebendable portion 1121 is not exposed to the outside. A side region(e.g., left side, right side) of the flexible display 1122 may be bent.When the electronic device 1120 is in the closed state, at least apartial area of the bendable portion 1121 may be positioned between thefirst structure 1123 and the second structure 1125. The electronicdevice 1120 may transition from the closed state to the open state whenthe user moves the first structure 1123 apart from the second structure1125 using a sliding action. When the electronic device 1120 is in theopen state, at least a partial area of the bendable portion 1121 may beextended and be exposed. For example, the first structure 1123 may movein a third direction (e.g., direction {circle around (3)}), and thesecond structure 1125 may move in a fourth direction (e.g., direction{circle around (4)}). The first structure 1123 and the second structure1125 may move by a predetermined distance d2, and the display area ofthe flexible display 1122 may be extended to correspond to thepredetermined distance d2.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 1122 forms an edgedesign to correspond to an opposite direction of the bendable portion1121, the window (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5) may at least partiallyenclose the flexible display 1122 (e.g., the flexible display 512 ofFIG. 5) and the display support member (e.g., the display support member513 of FIG. 5). According to various embodiments, the window 511 may beformed to enclose the flexible display 512 and the display supportmember 513 to correspond to one edge having an edge design, and thewindow 511 may be formed in an enclosing form to correspond to the otherend corresponding to an opposite direction of the one end.

FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a structure 1130 in which the displayis bent. The bending structure 1130 of FIG. 11C may correspond to thebending structure 1130 of FIG. 11B.

With reference to FIG. 11C, the bending structure 1130 may include ahinge 1131 and at least one rail 1132. According to an embodiment, thehinge 1131 may be partially enclosed by at least one rail 1132. Thehinge 1131 may be configured to bend at least one of the flexibledisplay (e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5), a support member1133 (e.g., the display support member 513 of FIG. 5) that supports theflexible display, and at least one rail 1132. In the bending structure1130, the support member 1133 and the at least one rail 1132 may be bentto correspond to a bending direction of the hinge 1131.

According to an embodiment, the window (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5)attached to an upper portion of the flexible display (e.g., the flexibledisplay 512 of FIG. 5) may at least partially enclose the flexibledisplay. According to an embodiment, even if there is a bendingoperation, the window of a form that encloses the flexible display maybe fixed.

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a housing (e.g., the first support member 514 ofFIG. 5) including a recess; an internal structure (e.g., the displaysupport member 513 of FIG. 5) disposed in the recess, and a display(e.g., the flexible display 512 of FIG. 5) disposed in the recess andsupported by the internal structure 513, wherein the display 512includes a display panel including a first region and a second region,wherein the second region forms at least part of an edge of the displaypanel; and a flexible polymer layer (e.g., the window 511 of FIG. 5)forming an outer surface of the display panel, wherein the flexiblepolymer layer includes a first portion covering the first region and thesecond region, and a second portion extending from the first portion,enclosing the at least part of an edge of the display panel, andextending inward.

According to an embodiment, the display panel may further include aresin (e.g., the second adhesive member 518 of FIG. 5) between the atleast part of the edge of the display panel and the second portion ofthe flexible polymer layer 511.

According to an embodiment, the resin may be at least partially opaque.

According to an embodiment, the flexible polymer layer 511 may includeat least one of polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone(PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),or glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP).

According to certain embodiments, the second region of the display panelmay be at least partially curved or bent.

According to an embodiment, the housing (e.g., the first support member514 of FIG. 5) may include a side member integrally formed with theinternal structure 513, and the side member surrounds the recess.

According to an embodiment, the display panel may include a touchsensitive panel and an organic light emitting layer.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include anadhesive member configured to adhere the flexible polymer layer 511 toat least one of the internal structure 513 and the display panel.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive member 517 may include elasticrubber and tape.

According to an embodiment, the internal structure 513 may include afixing member (e.g., the fixing member 740 of FIG. 7) configured to keepthe flexible polymer layer 511 in place with respect to the internalstructure 513, and the flexible polymer layer 511 may include at leastone opening penetrated by the fixing member 740.

According to an embodiment, the shape of the housing (e.g., the firstsupport member 514 of FIG. 5) corresponds to the shape of the display512, and the flexible polymer layer 511 may be at least partiallyattached to the housing.

An electronic device in which a bent display 512 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure includes a bending structure (e.g.,the bending structure 1130 of FIG. 11) disposed on one end of thedisplay 512, and an internal structure 513 disposed on one surface ofthe display 512; wherein the display 512 is bent by the bendingstructure 1130, supported by the internal structure 513, and includes adisplay panel including a first region and a second region, wherein thesecond region forms at least part of an edge of the display panel; and aflexible polymer layer 511 configured to form an outer surface of thedisplay panel, wherein the flexible polymer layer 511 includes a firstportion enclosing the first region and the second region of the displaypanel and a second portion extending from the first portion, enclosingan edge of the display panel and at least a portion of the bendingstructure 1130, and extending inward.

According to an embodiment, the display panel may further include aresin between the edge and the second portion of the flexible polymerlayer 511.

According to an embodiment, the resin may be at least partially opaque.

According to an embodiment, the second region of the display panel maybe at least partially curved or bent to correspond to the bendingstructure.

According to an embodiment, a display area of the display 512 may beextended or reduced based on a bending direction of the bendingstructure 1130.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include anadhesive member 517 configured to adhere the flexible polymer layer 511to at least one of the internal structure 513 and the display panel.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive member 517 may include elasticrubber and tape.

According to an embodiment, the internal structure 513 may include afixing member (e.g., the fixing member 740 of FIG. 7) configured to keepthe flexible polymer layer 511 in place with respect to the internalstructure 513, and the flexible polymer layer 511 may include at leastone opening (e.g., the openings 1005 of FIG. 10A) penetrated by thefixing member 740.

The term “module” used in this disclosure may refer to a certain unitthat includes one of hardware, software and firmware or any combinationthereof. The module may be interchangeably used with unit, logic,logical block, component or circuit, for example. The module may be theminimum unit, or part thereof, which performs one or more particularfunctions. The module may also be formed mechanically or electronically.For example, the module disclosed herein may include at least one of anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, field-programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), and programmable-logic device, which have beenknown or are to be developed At least part of the device (e.g., modulesor functions thereof) or method (e.g., operations) according to variousembodiments may be implemented as commands stored, e.g., in the form ofprogram modules, in a computer-readable storage medium. In case commandsare executed by at least one processor, this processor may then beconfigured to perform a particular function corresponding to thecommands. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, thememory. At least some of the program modules may be implemented (e.g.,executed) by, for example, the processor. At least some of the programmodules may include, for example, a module, a program, a routine, a setof instructions, and/or a process for performing one or more functions.

The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may includemagnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape,optical media such as a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM) and a DVD,magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and hardware devicesspecially configured to store and perform a program instruction. Inaddition, the program instructions may include high class languagecodes, which can be executed in a computer by using an interpreter, aswell as machine codes made by a compiler. The aforementioned hardwaredevice may be configured to operate as one or more software modules inorder to perform the operation of various embodiments of thisdisclosure, and vice versa.

A module or programming module according to various embodiments mayinclude or exclude at least one of the above-discussed elements orfurther include other elements or combinations thereof. The operationsperformed by the module, programming module or any other elementaccording to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, inparallel, repeatedly, or by a heuristic method. Additionally, someoperations may be executed in different orders or omitted, or otheroperations may be added.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device can prevent spring back phenomenon occurring in aflexible display by using a window at least partly enclosing theflexible display. According to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the electronic device can prevent foreign material fromentering into the periphery of the flexible display when the windowpartially encloses the flexible display. According to certainembodiments of the present disclosure, in the electronic device, whenthe window encloses the display, the corresponding bezel region may beminimized.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described indetail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variationsand modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein described,which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within thespirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a housingincluding a recess; an internal structure disposed in the recess; and adisplay disposed in the recess and supported by the internal structure,wherein the display further comprises: a display panel comprising afirst region and a second region, wherein the second region forms atleast part of an edge of the display panel; and a flexible polymer layerforming an outer surface of the display panel, wherein the flexiblepolymer layer comprises a first portion covering the first region andthe second region, and a second portion extending from the firstportion, enclosing the at least part of the edge of the display panel,and extending inward between the second region and the internalstructure.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the displaypanel further comprises a resin between the at least part of the edge ofthe display panel and the second portion of the flexible polymer layer.3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the resin is at leastpartially opaque.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theflexible polymer layer further comprises at least one of polyimide (PI),polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or glass fiber reinforced plastic(FRP).
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second region ofthe display panel is at least partially curved or bent.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises aside member integrally formed with the internal structure, and whereinthe side member and the internal structure together form the recess. 7.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the display panel furthercomprises a touch sensitive panel and an organic light emitting layer.8. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesivemember configured to adhere the flexible polymer layer to at least oneof the internal structure and the display panel.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 8, wherein the adhesive member is elastic rubber ortape.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the internalstructure further comprises a fixing member configured to keep theflexible polymer layer in place with respect to the internal structure,and wherein the flexible polymer layer further comprises at least oneopening penetrated by the fixing member.
 11. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein a shape of the housing corresponds to a shape of thedisplay, and wherein the flexible polymer layer is at least partiallyattached to the housing.
 12. An electronic device including a bentdisplay, the electronic device comprising: a bending structure disposedat one end of the display; and an internal structure disposed on onesurface of the display, wherein the display is bent by the bendingstructure, supported by the internal structure, and further comprises: adisplay panel comprising a first region and a second region, wherein thesecond region forms at least part of an edge of the display panel; and aflexible polymer layer configured to form an outer surface of thedisplay panel, wherein the flexible polymer layer comprises a firstportion enclosing the first region and the second region of the displaypanel to correspond to the bending structure and a second portionextending from the first portion, enclosing an edge of the display paneland at least part of the bending structure, and extending inward betweenthe second region and the internal structure to correspond to thebending structure.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein thedisplay panel further comprises a resin between the edge of the displaypanel and the second portion of the flexible polymer layer.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 13, wherein the resin is at least partiallyopaque.
 15. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the second regionof the display panel is at least partially curved or bent to correspondto the bending structure.
 16. The electronic device of claim 12, whereina display area of the display is extended or reduced based on a bendingdirection of the bending structure.
 17. The electronic device of claim12, further comprising an adhesive member configured to adhere theflexible polymer layer to at least one of the internal structure and thedisplay panel.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein theadhesive member is elastic rubber or tape.
 19. The electronic device ofclaim 12, wherein the internal structure further comprises a fixingmember configured to keep the flexible polymer layer in place withrespect to the internal structure, and wherein the flexible polymerlayer further comprises at least one opening penetrated by the fixingmember.